A relative of the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, Mrs. Motunrayo Ajeigbe-Akinlosotu, has dismissed fresh social media allegations that the Minister intends to scrap Yoruba studies in schools, describing the claims as politically motivated and misleading.
Ajeigbe-Akinlosotu, who is the MD/CEO of Okay Group, faulted reports circulating online suggesting that the Minister is working to abolish the teaching of Yoruba in schools.
In a statement, she described the allegations, initially triggered by a social media post, as baseless, divisive, and deliberately aimed at damaging the Minister’s public image.
The allegation stemmed from a post in which a user accused Alausa of betraying Yoruba interests while questioning his cultural identity and even the names of his children.
The post quickly went viral, drawing comments that painted the Minister as disconnected from his roots.
Responding, Ajeigbe-Akinlosotu stressed that Alausa’s background solidly affirms his Yoruba heritage.
She said, “Dr. Alausa is my uncle. He is from Lagos State on both sides of the family. His mother has roots in both Lagos and Ilesa. He is a true Yoruba son, a true Lekombi Omo Eko.”
She argued that those spreading misinformation were driven by frustration and political rivalry rather than genuine concerns about Yoruba education.
“I don’t know why people are cursing him over a policy he knows nothing about. These attacks are not about education, they are political,” she said, adding that detractors were likely unsettled by the minister’s rising profile.
Ajeigbe-Akinlosotu praised Alausa’s reform efforts in the education sector, describing him as a quiet achiever committed to improving policy and helping people without fanfare.
“This is a man who supports people privately. Many look up to him in Lagos. He doesn’t announce his good deeds.”
She also dismissed insinuations that his religious background played any role in the controversy, explaining that the family is deeply rooted in both Islam and Christianity.
Calling for calm, she urged Nigerians to verify information rather than rely on divisive online narratives aimed at stirring ethnic sentiments.
“People should be very careful. I am not speaking politics; this is about who Dr. Tunji Alausa truly is.”
